City Council

CITY OF CORNING REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 794 THIRD STREET www.corning.org A. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Mayor Snow B. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Jose “Chuy” Valerio Shelly Hargens Lisa Lomeli Vice Mayor Dave Demo Mayor Robert Snow Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker City Attorney Collin Bogener City Clerk Rubi Ordaz Planner, Christina Meeds Public Works Director Eli Stanley Police Chief Craig Bassett Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager. D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens. E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS: 1. Proclamation: January 2025 - National Stalking Awareness Month. Present to accept the Proclamation will be Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, Susana Reyes. Susana Reyes, Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, presented information regarding stalking awareness after returning to this item before the meeting was adjourned. 2. Proclamation: January 2025 - Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Present to accept the Proclamation will be Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, Susana Reyes. The title of the Proclamation was read by City Clerk, Rubi Ordaz. 3. Presentation: Tehama County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan presented by Planner Christina Meeds. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER Planner, Christina Meeds, presented a review of the Tehama County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The primary purpose of the plan is to guide officials in protecting people and property within Tehama County from the effects of natural disasters and hazardous events. The plan also provides access to grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct mitigation activities, and it’s required as a condition of receiving certain federal financial assistance. Public Participation occurred throughout the planning process, there were a total of 142 responses. Those responses were used to ensure that mitigation priorities in the plan match those of the community F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Gary Strack presented the old Yost Park sign. It will be going into the Corning Museum. He also presented a framed collage of pictures and information of the Yost family and what they did for the city during that time. It will also be placed in the Corning Museum. He appreciated that Council did not decide to rename Yost Park and kept its history. Tehama County Board of Supervisors, Greg Jones and Matt Hansen, spoke about wanting the city and the county to work hand in hand. Their office is located in Red Bluff but would like to find a space in Corning to meet once or twice a month for people on this side of the County to come and see them. They are working on being more accessible to the public. G. CONSENT AGENDA: It is recommended that items listed on the Consent Agenda be acted on simultaneously unless a Councilmember or members of the audience request separate discussion and/or action. 1. Waive reading, except by title, of any Ordinance under consideration at this meeting for either introduction or passage, per Government Code Section 36934. 2. Waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the December 10, 2024, closed session meeting and regular City Council meeting with any necessary corrections. 3. January 8, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 522,440.14 4. January 8, 2025, Business License Report 5. December 2024 Wages & Salaries: $457,163.78 6. December 2024 Treasurer’s Report. 7. December 2024 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $338,466. 8. December 2024 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report. 9. Adopt Ordinance No. 712 Amending Section 2.08.010 and 2.08.030 of the Corning Municipal Code following voter approval to appoint the City Clerk and City Treasurer positions. 10. Adopt Ordinance No. 711 adding to chapter 17.67 of the City of Corning Municipal code, establishing digital sign regulations. Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-8; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  1. Appeal to consider Use Permit 2024-332, Teresa Livingston pursuant to section 17.54.050 of the Corning Municipal Code Presented by Planner, Christina Meeds. At the December 10th, 2024, City Council meeting this appeal was brought before the Council. The project was discussed and the City Council decided that if the owner of the property was willing to meet certain development standards and keep a plan to continue to move forward with evidence of progress, then the Council would consider approving Ms. Livingston’s Use Permit based on the conditions with the forward progress by the property owner. A meeting was held by staff and Toni McNulty, the property owners’ architect, to explain the improvements required on the parcel before moving forward. Staff was informed by McNulty that the property owner was in agreement to fulfill the requirements. They were also informed that prior to Cecey’s Tacos being allowed to operate with the food truck on the property that water and sewer connections with a functioning restroom, a gravel driveway approach and a gravel pad for the food truck and customer parking would need to be installed. Public Hearing Opened: 5:49pm Mr. Strack asked for clarification on location. Mayor Snow clarified the location. Closed Public Hearing at 5:49pm Mayor Snow moved to adopt the four (4) Factual Subfindings and Legal Findings as presented in the staff report and approve Use Permit 2024-332 permitting the establishment of a Mobile Food Vendor in the lot located at 2985 HWY 99W subject to the three (4) Conditions of Approval as recommended by Staff with added verbiage on Condition #4 that progress on the improvements will be at staff’s discretion; Councilor Demo seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote J. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Authorize Public Works to seek proposals for a three-year street striping service agreement. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. He is requesting Council to authorize staff to seek proposals for a three-year street striping service agreement to provide routine striping removal and placement to city streets. During the budgeting process for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 staff allocated $30,000 for street striping services. Councilor Demo moved to authorize the Public Works Director to seek proposals for a three-year street striping service agreement; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 2. Authorize the Public Works department to declare equipment surplus and dispose of the items in the best interest of the city. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff is seeking authorization to declare equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as surplus and dispose of them in the best interest THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER of the city. These items were either replaced or no longer in service. This would allow for staff to create much needed room throughout the plant. Councilor Hargens moved to authorize the Public Works department to declare equipment surplus and dispose of the items in the best interest of the city; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 3. Consider creation of a Tuesday Night Market Ad-Hoc Committee Presented by Recreation Coordinator, Christina Meeds. Staff is recommending an ad-hoc committee be developed that consists of two members of the City Council, two members of the Corning Chamber of Commerce Board, three city staff members, and two Chamber of Commerce employees. Collin clarified that this is a temporary advisory committee composed solely of less than a quorum of the legislative body that serves a limited or single purpose, that is not perpetual, and that will be dissolved once its specific task is completed is not subject to the Brown Act. (California Government Code section 54952(b); see also: Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Orange County Employees Retirement System Board of Directors (1993) 6 Cal.4th 821.) Temporary committees are sometimes called ad hoc committees, a term not used in the Brown Act. Examples include an advisory committee composed of less than a quorum created to interview candidates for a vacant position or to meet with representatives of other entities to exchange information on a matter of concern to the agency, such as traffic congestion. (Taxpayers for Livable Communities v. City of Malibu (2005) 126 Cal.App.4th 1123.) As this event has grown in the recent years there is a greater need for staff time to organize and plan this event. The Chamber of Commerce and the city have partnered together to make this event happen. The ad-hoc committee will allow for the necessary discussion to clearly define roles between the two entities. Councilor Demo moved to approve the creation of a Tuesday Night Market Ad-hoc Committee and appoint councilmember Demo and Mayor Snow to the committee; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 4. Consider creation of a Corning Recreation Department Ad-Hoc Committee Presented by Recreation Coordinator, Christina Meeds. Staff is recommending an ad- hoc committee be developed that consists of two members of the City Council, and three city staff members. Collin clarified as well that this is a temporary advisory committee composed solely of less than a quorum of the legislative body that serves a limited or single purpose, that is not perpetual, and that will be dissolved once its specific task is completed is not subject to the Brown Act. (California Government Code section 54952(b); see also: Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Orange County Employees Retirement System Board of Directors (1993) 6 Cal.4th 821.) Temporary committees are sometimes called ad hoc committees, a term not used in the Brown Act. Examples include an advisory committee composed of less than a quorum created to interview candidates for a vacant position or to meet with representatives of other entities to exchange information on a matter of concern to the agency, such as traffic congestion. (Taxpayers for Livable Communities v. City of Malibu (2005) 126 Cal.App.4th 1123.) Doing so will give staff the direction of the future of Corning Recreation Department and the upcoming Recreation Center that will be THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER built. The city of Corning with the Promise Neighborhood Funding created the recreation program and it has grown significantly. The Promise Neighborhood funding expires June 2025. The recreation center will begin construction in 2025 and will require direction on operations of the center, along with budgets, and employees. Councilor Demo moved to approve the creation of a Corning Recreation Ad-hoc committee and appoint Councilmember Hargens and Lomeli to the ad-hoc committee; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 5. Resolution No. 01-14-2025-01 extending the abandoned vehicle abatement program until March 31, 2035 Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. In 2004, a one dollar ($1) annual vehicle registration fee was imposed on eligible vehicles registered in Tehama County. These fees are collected by the DMV and allocated to the Tehama County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority by the State Controller. Fees are then distributed to Tehama County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority based on each jurisdiction’s population as a percentage of the total population of the County and also based on the number of vehicles abated by each jurisdiction as a percentage of the total number abated by the Tehama County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority as a whole. The current program is set to expire on March 31, 2025. Legislation allows local service authorities to extend the program every 10 years with the approval of the majority of councilmembers. Councilor Hargens moved to adopt Resolution No. 01-14-2025-01 extending the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program until March 31, 2035; Councilor Demo seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 6. Authorize the purchase order with Capture Technologies for a new dispatch voice logger in the amount $34,481.87 Presented by Police Chief, Craig Bassett. Corning Police Dispatchers are requesting approval to purchase a new voice logger system from Capture Technologies. The current system is outdated and longer meets the department’s operating needs. This purchase would be covered from overages in the Cal Cops grant funding. Councilor Demo moved to authorize the purchase order with Capture Technologies for new dispatch voice logger in the amount of $34,481.87 and determines that this purchase is exempt from the city’s purchasing policy per section 3.12.082 (a) (6) of the Corning Municipal Code; as well as authorizing staff to make the necessary budget appropriations; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 7. Informational presentation - 2024 review of achievements and accomplishments and vision for 2025 THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER City Manager Brant Mesker presented highlights of all department accomplishments and project completions for the 2024 year. K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION: M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS: Snow: No meetings. Thanked Gary for bringing in the Yost Park sign and the history of the Yost family. Demo: Senior center board meeting yesterday. They are looking forward for 2025. They had many events last year with good response from the public. They have chairs for sale if anyone is interested. Also, thanked Public Works for installing a handrail in the lady’s restroom at the Senior Center that was needed. Lomeli: Meeting was cancelled. Valerio: Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards on January 18th at 6:30 pm. The Chamber of Commerce has a new president, Renee Dent, from Banner Bank. The incoming President will be Christina Trujillo from Jamison Properties. Hargens: She had two Tehama County Landfill meetings. There are new board members and Supervisors. N. ADJOURNMENT: 6:45pm __________________________ Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER